Indoor Positioning System With Segmented Narrowband And Wideband Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current indoor positioning systems face challenges in accurately locating assets within indoor environments without relying on global positioning satellites, as they require efficient synchronization and ranging mechanisms between asset tags and access points to determine precise positions.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a narrowband messaging link for synchronization and initialization between asset tags and access points, and a wideband ranging link for accurate ranging operations, allowing the position location server to determine the location of asset tags by processing time of arrival measurements from multiple access points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single wideband link is used for both messaging and ranging, then ranging accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption at asset tags
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the communication link into two separate links: a narrowband messaging link for synchronization and data exchange, and a wideband ranging link for accurate distance measurement. This segmentation allows each link to be optimized for its specific function, with the narrowband link consuming less power for messaging tasks while the wideband link provides precise ranging when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The asset tags periodically wake up to search for narrowband pilot signals and synchronize with access points, rather than continuously operating. This periodic activation reduces power consumption while maintaining positioning functionality through scheduled synchronization events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If continuous operation is used for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption at asset tags
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Asset tags periodically wake up to search for narrowband pilot signals transmitted by access points and perform synchronization. This periodic operation maintains synchronization accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation, as the tags remain in low-power sleep mode between synchronization events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables asset tags to autonomously synchronize with access points by detecting narrowband pilot signals and performing self-adjustment of timing and frequency parameters, eliminating the need for continuous external control while maintaining synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If narrowband messaging link is used, then power consumption is reduced, but ranging capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumption at asset tagsVSAvoidranging capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates messaging and ranging functions into distinct narrowband and wideband links. The narrowband messaging link handles synchronization and data exchange with low power consumption, while the wideband ranging link provides accurate distance measurement when activated, combining the advantages of both narrowband efficiency and wideband precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2926158B1Position location system architecture: messaging and ranging links
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2926158B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2926158B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2926158B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An indoor position location system. The indoor position location system may include a narrowband messaging link. The narrowband messaging link may enable synchronization and ranging initialization between asset tags and access points of the indoor position location system. The indoor position location system may also include a wideband ranging link. The wideband ranging link may enable a ranging operation between the asset tags, the access points and a position location server of the indoor position location system. The position location server may determine a location of at least one of the asset tags according to the ranging operation.